Career Expectations - mba.com Prospective Students Survey 2018 · 2018-06-22 · mba.com Prospective Student Survey 2018 The Career Expectations, mba.com Prospective Students Survey

mba.com Prospective Student Survey 2018

Market Intelligence

Career Expectations

mba.com Prospective Students Survey 2018


The Career Expectations, mba.com Prospective Students Survey 2018 Report is a product of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global, nonprofit association of 223 leading graduate business schools. Founded in 1953, we are actively committed to advancing the art and science of admissions by convening and representing the industry and offering best-in-class products and services for schools and students. GMAC owns and administers the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) exam, used by more than 7,000 graduate programs worldwide. Other GMAC assessments include the NMAT by GMAC™ exam, for entrance into graduate management programs in India and South Africa, and the Executive Assessment, specifically designed for Executive MBA programs around the world. The Council is based in the United States with offices in theUnited Kingdom, India, and Hong Kong.


Contents

• Introduction

• Executive Summary

• Career Expectations

• Career Goals

• Industries of Interest

• Job Functions of Interest

• Appendix: Program Specific Analyses


The Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) surveyed 9,471 individuals who registered on mba.com—the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) website for prospective graduate business students—between February and December 2017. Each month, a random sample of individuals who registered on the website three months earlier were invited to participate in this ongoing research study. Findings in this report are also based on analysis of data collected in calendar years 2009 through 2017 from more than 126,000 individuals.

Prospective students who responded represent those interested in various MBA and business master’s program categories, including full-time MBA, professional MBA, executive MBA, master’s in management and international management, and specialized business master’s programs.

This report—the second in a series of topical reports based on this year’s mba.com Prospective Students Survey—presents the findings associated with candidates’ post-graduate management education (GME) career interests, including goals, industries, and job functions.

Explore the Interactive Report

An Interactive Data Research Tool accompanies the 2018 mba.com Prospective Student Survey, available exclusively to GMAT accepting institutions. The Interactive Data Research Tool lets users customize data searches by multiple survey response variables such as candidate segment, citizenship/residence, gender, age, preferred program type, and more. Access it at:

gmac.com/prospectivestudents

Business School Participation in GMAC Research

GMAC Research offers graduate business schools opportunities to gather data and generate insights about the business school pipeline.

Schools can sign-up to participate in the GMAC Application Trends Survey, Corporate Recruiters Survey, and Alumni Perspectives Survey on our survey sign-up page:

gmac.com/surveysignup.

4

Introduction

9,471 mba.com Registrants Worldwide Responded to the

mba.com Prospective Students Survey in 2017

https://www.gmac.com/market-intelligence-and-research/market-research/mbacom-prospective-students-survey.aspx

http://www.gmac.com/surveysignup


Introduction

Respondent Demographic Profile

Overall*Gender Age

Male Female Other22 and

under23 to 24 25 to 30 31 to 39

40 and

older

Global* 9,471 5,146 4,300 25 2,609 1,675 3,399 1,334 420

Cit

ize

nsh

ip

Africa 640 434 205 1 67 90 266 167 50

Australia & Pacific Islands 56 34 22 0 5 0 24 23 4

Canada 321 164 156 1 52 48 132 66 20

Central & South Asia 1,562 1091 469 2 472 318 570 176 22

East & Southeast Asia 1,714 620 1092 2 772 265 466 179 23

Eastern Europe 287 130 156 1 90 68 74 44 11

Latin America 499 304 194 1 28 69 282 92 28

Middle East 204 129 75 0 24 38 97 40 5

United States 3,087 1567 1508 12 697 530 1199 431 216

Western Europe 975 612 362 1 370 230 253 99 21

Re

sid

en

ce

Africa 571 384 186 1 60 79 245 142 45

Australia & Pacific Islands 66 42 24 0 13 3 26 21 3

Canada 366 182 184 0 65 51 152 73 21

Central & South Asia 1,394 984 409 1 447 307 493 125 18

East & Southeast Asia 1,552 597 952 3 690 234 419 181 21

Eastern Europe 215 105 110 0 73 50 54 28 9

Latin America 456 282 174 0 22 63 265 81 25

Middle East 243 152 91 0 37 40 108 50 8

United States 3,444 1,738 1,693 13 792 585 1,323 502 228

Western Europe 1,038 618 416 4 377 244 279 113 22

*Subtotals may not sum to global or overall figures due to missing data.

5


The decision to pursue a GME often revolves around prospective students’ career aspirations. While most prospective students considering business school are satisfied with their life overall, they tend to be less satisfied with their current career path and personal financial situation. Almost all prospective students believe that their journey through business school will improve their satisfaction with these elements of their lives. As such, careers are an important driver of the business school decision.

Business school offers a diverse range of career possibilities for candidates, regardless of their educational or professional background. Armed with a GME, candidates can embark on a variety of career paths and pursue job opportunities across a broad spectrum of industries and job functions.

This year’s survey findings highlight how the mix of GME candidates’ career expectations shift over time. For example, the last several years have seen an increase in the share of candidates who plan to enhance their current career path through a GME (42% of candidates in 2017) and a decrease in the share who plan to use their GME to pivot to a new job function (34%) or industry (26%). Consistent with the past two years, a quarter of candidates intend to pursue an entrepreneurial career after their GME (25%).

This year’s findings also highlight how larger political and economic factors likely impact the mix of GME candidates’ career expectations. For example, just as the current political climate has depressed non-US citizen candidate interest in studying in the United States, this year’s survey findings show a marked decline in the share of candidates who plan to pursue international employment following their GME. The share of candidates who plan to stay with their current employer has also declined, which is likely related to increased employment opportunities brought about by the strong job market.

This report, Career Expectations, assesses prospective students’ post-GME career plans, including their industries and job functions of interest and specific career goals. Additionally, profiles of candidate career goals and targeted specific industries and job functions are provided by preferred program type.

6

Executive Summary

Prospective Students’ Expected Career Outcomes Are a Critical

Factor in Their Decision to Pursue GME


Career Expectations


36% 37%40%

36%33% 34% 35%

38%42%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Enhance Current Career Path

32% 31% 29%33% 32% 32% 33% 32%

26%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Switch Industries

27% 29% 29%33%

36% 38%35% 33%

27%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

International Employment

42% 41%38% 40% 40% 39% 38% 36% 34%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Switch Job Functions

20% 20%24% 25%

30% 30%26% 25% 25%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Entrepreneurship

19% 18% 18%21%

18% 17% 18% 16%10%

0%

25%

50%

'09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Stay with Current Employer

Career Expectations

The Mix of GME Candidates’ Career Expectations Shift Over

Time; Now, More Plan to Stay on Their Current Path Than Pivot

8


40%

45%

59%

44%

33%

31%

40%

33%

45%

53%

37%

39%

33%

40%

49%

47%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East

East/Southeast Asia/PI

Central and South Asia

United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

9

Satisfied45%

Neutral36%

Dissatisfied19%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied49%

Neutral29%

Dissatisfied23%

Personal Financial Situation Satisfaction

Career Expectations

Enhance Current Career Path: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Enhance Their Current Career Path, by Demographic


Satisfied32%

Neutral31%

Dissatisfied37%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied41%

Neutral26%

Dissatisfied32%


Career Expectations

Switch Job Functions: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Switch Job Functions, by Demographic

34%

34%

16%

32%

44%

46%

38%

29%

30%

27%

31%

43%

46%

33%

28%

29%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East



United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

10


Satisfied29%

Neutral30%

Dissatisfied41%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied40%

Neutral27%

Dissatisfied33%


Career Expectations

Switch Industries: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Switch Industries, by Demographic

28%

23%

12%

26%

33%

32%

25%

21%

26%

21%

26%

29%

35%

25%

24%

22%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East



United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

11


Satisfied38%

Neutral32%

Dissatisfied31%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied39%

Neutral28%

Dissatisfied33%


Career Expectations

Entrepreneurship: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Be Entrepreneurs, by Demographic

28%

22%

24%

23%

27%

27%

25%

45%

29%

19%

34%

21%

25%

29%

21%

26%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East



United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

12


Satisfied32%

Neutral35%

Dissatisfied33%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied37%

Neutral30%

Dissatisfied33%


Career Expectations

International Employment: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Work Outside Their Country of Citizenship, by Demographic

29%

25%

28%

30%

27%

27%

19%

37%

38%

30%

37%

10%

21%

50%

39%

49%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East



United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

13


Satisfied65%

Neutral25%

Dissatisfied11%

Career Satisfaction

Satisfied55%Neutral

25%

Dissatisfied21%


Career Expectations

Stay with Current Employer: Candidate Profile

Percentage of Candidates Who Plan to Stay with Their Current Employer, by Demographic

10%

10%

3%

9%

11%

17%

21%

9%

11%

5%

3%

18%

13%

8%

4%

7%

Male

Female

22 and under

23 to 24

25 to 30

31 to 39

40 and older

Africa

Middle East



United States

Canada

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Citiz

ensh

ipAge

Gender

14


Career Goals


40%

39%

38%

37%

34%

33%

26%

22%

19%

11%

Manage people

Manage projects

Raise/salary increase

Senior level position

Job with international travel

Executive level position

Job with a different company

CEO of a company

Promotion

C-suite position

Career Goals

Overall, Managing People and Projects Are Candidates’ Top

Career Goals, Followed by Earning a Raise/Salary Increase

Career Goals, Overall

16


42%

40%

39%

37%

32%

34%

27%

26%

19%

13%

38%

39%

38%

37%

35%

31%

24%

18%

19%

9%

Manage people

Manage projects




Executive level position


CEO of a company

Promotion

C-suite position

Male Female

Career Goals

Men More Likely Than Women to Aspire to C-Suite Positions;

Women More Likely to Seek International Travel

Career Goals, by Gender

17


Age

22 and under 23 to 24 25 to 30 31 to 39 40 and older

Care

er

Goals

(%

of

Resp

ondents

)*

Manage people 34% 43% 44% 42% 36%

Manage projects 37% 43% 41% 38% 31%

Raise/salary increase 20% 39% 51% 44% 30%

Senior level position 34% 37% 39% 40% 32%

Job with international travel 39% 37% 32% 28% 19%

Executive level position 31% 32% 33% 35% 34%

Job with a different company 11% 26% 36% 32% 18%

CEO of a company 25% 23% 20% 21% 16%

Promotion 7% 20% 25% 26% 26%

C-suite position 9% 11% 12% 12% 11%

*Column percentages do not sum to 100 due to multiple selections.

Career Goals

Younger Candidates More Likely to Seek International Travel;

Older Candidates More Likely to Seek Promotions

Career Goals, by Age

18


Region of Citizenship

Middle EastEast & SE Asia/PI

Central & South Asia

United States CanadaLatin

AmericaWestern Europe

Eastern Europe

Care

er

Goals

(%

of Resp

ondents

)*

Manage people 35% 25% 38% 50% 45% 41% 45% 34%

Manage projects 37% 30% 42% 42% 43% 40% 43% 39%

Raise/salary increase 32% 23% 27% 58% 45% 46% 29% 33%

Senior level position 32% 31% 41% 42% 42% 31% 33% 31%


29% 34% 43% 22% 35% 35% 46% 45%

Executive level position 32% 24% 38% 35% 37% 37% 33% 29%


26% 17% 20% 35% 33% 31% 21% 23%

CEO of a company 28% 15% 33% 19% 22% 22% 23% 23%

Promotion 21% 12% 9% 34% 24% 20% 10% 14%

C-suite position 9% 7% 12% 14% 14% 11% 9% 7%

*Column percentages do not sum to 100 due to multiple selections.

Career Goals

Career Goals Vary by Region of Citizenship; US Candidates

Most Likely to Say a Raise/Salary Increase Is a Goal

Career Goals, by Region of Citizenship

19


Industries of Interest


36% 34% 32% 33% 34%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Consulting

32% 31%25% 24% 25%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Products/Services

33%36%

31% 31% 32%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Finance/Accounting

23%20%

15% 16% 17%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Technology

19%16%

12% 12% 12%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Nonprofit/Government

10% 9% 9% 8% 9%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Energy/Utilities

11% 9% 7% 7% 8%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Manufacturing

9% 8% 6% 6% 8%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Health care


The Industries Candidates Are Targeting for Their Post-GME

Careers Have Remained Relatively Stable the Past Few Years

21


8%

8%

9%

12%

17%

25%

32%

34%

Health care

Manufacturing

Energy/utilities

Nonprofit/government

Technology

Products/services

Finance/accounting

Consulting

35

%

33

%

23

%

20

%

12

%

12

%

7% 1

1%

34

%

31

%

27

%

14

%

12

%

6% 8%

5%

Consulting Finance/Accounting

Products/Services

Technology Nonprofit/Government

Energy/Utilities

Health care Manufacturing

Male Female

22

Industry (% of Respondents)*

ConsultingFinance/

accountingProducts/Services

TechnologyNonprofit/

GovernmentEnergy/ Utilities

Health Care Manufacturing

Age

22 and under 42% 46% 26% 13% 10% 7% 5% 7%

23 to 24 37% 33% 26% 17% 11% 7% 7% 9%

25 to 30 31% 27% 25% 20% 13% 10% 8% 9%

31 to 39 29% 22% 22% 21% 15% 13% 10% 10%

40 and older 21% 21% 18% 12% 18% 10% 12% 8%

*Row percentages do not sum to 100 due to multiple selections.


There Are Differences in Industries of Interest by Candidate

Gender and Age

Overall Gender

Age



ConsultingEnergy/utilities

Finance/ accounting

Health care Technology ManufacturingNonprofit/

GovernmentProducts/Services

Pre

ferr

ed P

rogra

m T

ype

Full-time two-year MBA 41% 12% 31% 8% 20% 8% 12% 26%

Full-time one-year MBA 37% 11% 26% 8% 22% 10% 12% 28%

Part-time MBA 19% 8% 20% 9% 16% 13% 11% 22%

Flexible MBA 28% 9% 26% 11% 19% 12% 22% 27%

Executive MBA 23% 12% 19% 10% 23% 11% 10% 20%

Online MBA 18% 8% 21% 16% 15% 12% 15% 25%

Master in Management 53% 9% 28% 10% 15% 11% 12% 38%

Master of Global Management

48% 13% 29% 7% 23% 19% 18% 40%

Master of Accounting 21% 4% 71% 3% 2% 3% 8% 10%

Master of Finance 34% 6% 74% 2% 5% 4% 8% 12%

Master of Marketing 33% 3% 7% 3% 13% 5% 9% 63%

Master of Entrepreneurship 39% 6% 23% 3% 19% 10% 13% 37%

Master of Supply Chain Management

30% 16% 15% 5% 12% 18% 7% 44%

Master of Data Analytics 48% 7% 37% 4% 26% 6% 8% 25%

Master of Business Information Technology

45% 5% 20% 5% 36% 6% 12% 13%

Master of Human Resources 60% 7% 18% 7% 10% 7% 22% 28%


Post-GME Industries of Interest, by Preferred Program Type


Candidates Consider a Variety of Job Industries, Regardless

of Their Preferred Program Type

23


Job Functions of Interest


38% 36%

28% 28%33%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Finance/Accounting

31% 29% 30% 30% 28%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Marketing/Sales

35% 33%

25% 25%

32%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Consulting

29% 27%

20% 20%24%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

General Management

22% 21% 19% 19% 21%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Operations/Logistics

12% 11%6% 6%

9%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

IT/MIS

13% 12% 11% 11%7%

0%

25%

50%

'13 '14 '15 '16 '17

Human Resources


Interest in Consulting, Finance/Accounting, and General

Management Roles on the Rise

25


7%

9%

21%

24%

28%

32%

33%

Human resources

IT/MIS

Operations/logistics

General management

Marketing/sales

Consulting

Finance/accounting

34

%

33

%

24

%

26

%

25

%

10

%

5%

32

%

31

%

33

%

22

%

17

%

7% 9

%

Finance/accounting

Consulting Marketing/sales

Generalmanagement

Operations/logistics

IT/MIS Humanresources

Male Female

26


Finance/accounting

ConsultingMarketing/

salesGeneral

managementOperations/logistics

IT/MISHuman

resources

Age

22 and under 46% 32% 35% 21% 17% 9% 8%

23 to 24 34% 35% 28% 23% 21% 8% 7%

25 to 30 28% 33% 25% 24% 24% 8% 6%

31 to 39 25% 31% 25% 29% 25% 10% 8%

40 and older 23% 19% 17% 25% 16% 10% 8%



There Are Differences in Job Functions of Interest by

Candidate Gender and Age

Overall Gender

Age



Marketing/Sales

Operations/Logistics

ConsultingGeneral

ManagementFinance/

AccountingHuman

ResourcesTechnology

Pre

ferr

ed P

rogra

m T

ype

Full-time two-year MBA 27% 22% 41% 26% 31% 6% 8%

Full-time one-year MBA 32% 24% 38% 31% 26% 7% 9%

Part-time MBA 24% 25% 21% 24% 24% 6% 7%

Flexible MBA 29% 23% 28% 26% 28% 8% 8%

Executive MBA 20% 24% 31% 27% 21% 7% 8%

Online MBA 23% 27% 20% 23% 24% 9% 9%

Master in Management 38% 19% 47% 44% 30% 13% 7%

Master of Global Management

39% 32% 54% 41% 29% 17% 11%

Master of Accounting 12% 7% 13% 8% 78% 1% 3%

Master of Finance 16% 8% 27% 12% 79% 3% 3%

Master of Marketing 81% 14% 24% 13% 7% 9% 5%

Master of Entrepreneurship

35% 19% 28% 37% 24% 8% 9%

Master of Supply Chain Management

28% 63% 22% 18% 9% 6% 7%

Master of Data Analytics 29% 18% 47% 20% 36% 4% 28%

Master of Business Information Technology

34% 22% 28% 17% 16% 6% 45%

Master of Human Resources

32% 14% 24% 23% 12% 62% 6%


Post-GME Job Functions of Interest, by Preferred Program Type


Candidates Consider a Variety of Job Functions, Regardless of

Their Preferred Program Type

27


Appendix: Program Specific Analyses


50%

47%

45%

42%

42%

36%

36%

35%

35%

29%

27%

27%

19%

16%

6%

Manage people

Manage projects



Change job functions

Executive level

Change industries


Change employers

International employment

Entrepreneurship/self-employment

Become CEO of a company

Promotion

C-suite position

Continue working for current employer

Post-GME Career Goals Top Post-GME Industries of Interest (Detail)

1 Management consulting 24%

2 Consulting services 20%

3 Investment banking/brokerage 13%

4 Venture capital/private equity 12%

5 Investment management 11%

6 Internet and/or e-commerce 9%

7 Marketing services 8%

8 Commercial banking 8%

9 Finance and insurance 8%

10 Information technology or services 7%

Top Post-GME Job Functions of Interest (Detail)

1 Strategy 32%

2 General management 21%

3 Business development 21%

4 Investments 15%

5 Product management 13%

6 Entrepreneurial 12%

7 Corporate finance 12%

8 Mergers & acquisitions 12%

9 Operations 9%

10 Market research 9%

Preferred Program Type: Full-Time Two-Year MBA

Post-GME Career Expectations


44%

43%

41%

40%

40%

38%

35%

33%

32%

32%

28%

24%

19%

12%

6%


Manage people


Manage projects



Executive level

Change industries

Change employers




Promotion

C-suite position









7 Engineering 8%





1 Strategy 28%





6 Investments 12%

7 Operations 11%



10 Change management 9%

Preferred Program Type: Full-Time One-Year MBA



61%

51%

49%

44%

43%

39%

33%

32%

31%

21%

19%

19%

12%

8%

8%


Manage people

Promotion

Manage projects




Change employers

Executive level

Change industries





C-suite position




3 Education or educational services 7%


5 Engineering 6%

6 Accounting 5%

7 Energy and utilities 4%


9 Aerospace and defense 4%

10 Automotive 4%



2 Strategy 13%



5 Engineering 10%

6 Operations 8%



9 Accounting/auditing 7%


Preferred Program Type: Part-Time MBA



58%

48%

44%

43%

37%

37%

37%

36%

29%

29%

25%

21%

19%

18%

7%


Manage people



Promotion

Manage projects

Change employers

Executive level

Change industries






C-suite position





4 Government (nonmilitary) 8%

5 Accounting 8%





10 Engineering 6%



2 Strategy 19%



5 Operations 11%




9 Investments 9%


Preferred Program Type: Flexible MBA



67%

53%

50%

46%

45%

38%

38%

36%

32%

24%

22%

22%

15%

12%

9%


Promotion

Manage people



Manage projects


Executive level

Change employers



Change industries


C-suite position




2 Health care provider 7%





7 Accounting 6%

8 Engineering 6%






3 Operations 12%

4 Strategy 11%


6 Engineering 10%





Preferred Program Type: Online MBA



51%

43%

39%

37%

36%

33%

31%

30%

28%

26%

25%

23%

23%

19%

18%

Executive level




Manage people

Manage projects



Promotion

Change employers


Change industries

C-suite position







4 Engineering 7%


6 Information technology consulting 6%







2 Strategy 18%



5 Operations 10%


7 Investments 9%



10 Engineering 7%

Preferred Program Type: Executive MBA



48%

46%

46%

43%

35%

30%

26%

24%

24%

23%

21%

15%

9%

6%

3%

Manage projects


Manage people


Executive level






Change industries

Change employers

C-suite position

Promotion








6 Consumer goods 10%

7 Human resource services 10%


9 Automotive 9%




2 Strategy 35%





7 Investments 13%

8 Sales management 12%

9 Banking 12%


Preferred Program Type: Master in Management



68%

54%

53%

46%

35%

30%

30%

28%

27%

24%

22%

19%

9%

8%

3%



Manage projects

Manage people

Executive level






Change industries

Change employers

C-suite position

Promotion








6 Automotive 11%

7 Hotel, gaming, leisure and travel 11%



10 Arts, entertainment and recreation 9%


1 Strategy 41%







8 Operations 15%

9 Product development 15%

10 Investments 15%

Preferred Program Type: Master of International Management



33%

28%

27%

24%

23%

22%

22%

20%

16%

16%

15%

15%

14%

8%

7%



Executive level



Manage projects

Manage people

Change employers


Change industries


Promotion


C-suite position



1 Accounting 64%







8 Retail banking 5%






3 Banking 12%

4 Investments 9%

5 Strategy 8%

6 Treasury and financial analysis 8%




10 Public finance 5%

Preferred Program Type: Master of Accounting



38%

33%

32%

27%

26%

21%

19%

19%

18%

18%

15%

13%

7%

6%

4%




Executive level

Manage projects

Manage people





Change employers

Change industries

Promotion

C-suite position










8 Accounting 14%

9 Retail banking 12%

10 Insurance 6%


1 Investments 45%


3 Banking 35%



6 Strategy 21%



9 Public finance 15%

10 Real estate 11%

Preferred Program Type: Master of Finance



58%

40%

39%

39%

36%

36%

35%

30%

29%

28%

26%

24%

20%

10%

10%

Manage people

Manage projects


Executive level




Change employers



Change industries


Promotion


C-suite position







6 Public administration 8%






1 Staffing and training 36%


3 Compensation and benefits 28%

4 Industrial/labor relations 25%


6 Public relations 19%


8 Strategy 15%


10 Communications 12%

Preferred Program Type: Master of Human Resources



45%

44%

36%

33%

33%

32%

30%

24%

23%

20%

20%

18%

17%

11%

3%

Manage projects


Manage people






Executive level

Change employers


Promotion

Change industries


C-suite position







6 Accounting 9%




10 Science and research 6%


1 System analysis 23%

2 Systems consulting 21%



5 Strategy 13%



8 Electronic commerce 10%

9 Operations 9%


Preferred Program Type: Master of Business Information Technology



41%

41%

38%

34%

28%

27%

26%

26%

24%

23%

20%

13%

9%

5%

4%

Manage projects


Manage people



Executive level




Change industries

Change employers


Promotion

C-suite position




2 Advertising 22%



5 Media 14%

6 Arts, entertainment and recreation 10%

7 Consumer goods 9%


9 Food, beverage and tobacco 7%

10 Hotel, gaming, leisure and travel 7%



2 Advertising 30%




6 Strategy 17%

7 Public relations 17%


9 Sales 12%


Preferred Program Type: Master of Marketing



75%

40%

34%

33%

33%

27%

26%

23%

20%

18%

10%

10%

8%

7%

0%


Manage people

Manage projects



Executive level





Change industries

Change employers

Promotion

C-suite position







5 Real estate and rental and/or leasing 9%








2 Strategy 20%





7 Investments 10%



10 Operations 9%

Preferred Program Type: Master of Entrepreneurship



50%

44%

41%

41%

36%

31%

24%

22%

20%

19%

17%

17%

15%

8%

7%

Manage projects




Manage people

Executive level





Change industries

Change employers

Promotion


C-suite position



2 Warehousing and storage 16%


4 Freight 12%

5 Automotive 12%

6 Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction 10%

7 Aviation and airlines 9%

8 Consumer goods 8%




1 Logistics 37%

2 Operations 27%

3 Purchasing 17%


5 Production/manufacturing 16%



8 Strategy 12%

9 Product development 11%


Preferred Program Type: Master of Supply Chain Management



39%

37%

33%

33%

31%

30%

25%

24%

24%

23%

21%

17%

10%

10%

5%


Manage projects






Manage people

Executive level

Change industries

Change employers


Promotion

C-suite position














1 Strategy 36%


3 Investments 17%

4 System analysis 16%




8 Banking 12%



Preferred Program Type: Master of Data Analytics



Contributors

The following individuals from the GMAC Research

Department made significant contributions to the

publication of this report: Rhonda Daniel, Survey

Research Manger, questionnaire development and

interpretation of data, and drafting of the manuscript for

intellectual content; Gregg Schoenfeld, Senior Director,

Research & Data Science, manuscript review, Matt

Hazenbush, Research Communications Senior Manager,

manuscript review; Tacoma Williams, Research Senior

Coordinator, sample development; Devina Caruthers,

Associate Research Manager, survey management.

For questions or comments regarding the study findings,

methodology or data, please contact the GMAC Research

Department at [email protected].

45

Contact Information

mailto:[email protected]


©2018 Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®). All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of GMAC. For permission contact the GMAC legal department at [email protected].

NMAT by GMAC™ is a trademark and GMAT®, Graduate Management Admission Council®, and Graduate Management Admission Test® are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council in the United States and other countries.

Documents

Career Expectations - mba.com Prospective Students Survey 2018 · 2018-06-22 · mba.com Prospective Student Survey 2018 The Career Expectations, mba.com Prospective Students Survey